May 7, 2014 -
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Officer Richard Wallace the January 2014 Officer of the Month. Officer Wallace has been with the Knoxville Police Department since March 2005.

Chief Rausch said that on January 13, 2014, at approximately 7:16 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery and kidnapping that occurred at a business on Executive Park Drive. According to the investigation, a father and his one-year old son were sitting in their vehicle waiting to pick up the child's mother when two males approached their vehicle armed with a handgun. One of the suspects put the gun to the face of the male and demanded several hundred dollars. When the victim could only produce $100.00, the suspects got into the vehicle and ordered the victim to drive to his bank to withdraw more money from the ATM. While driving to the bank the suspects continued to threaten his life and his child's life at gunpoint. Once the suspects obtained more money from the victim they fled in a Ford Explorer that had followed them to the bank. The victims were not harmed.

On January 19, 2014, Officer Richard Wallace was pro-actively patrolling his beat when he located the possible suspect's vehicle parked at a nearby motel. Officer Wallace drove on by the vehicle in order to not bring attention to his suspicions. Officer Wallace drove out of the complex and parked his vehicle then returned to the motel on foot. It was at this time that Officer Wallace observed a male sitting in the vehicle.

Chief Rausch said, "Officer Wallace rushed to the vehicle and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was immediately transported to the Safety Building where investigators interviewed the suspect."

The suspect, Elijah Crosswhite (DOB: 11-9-94), was charged with Aggravated Robbery, Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, and Aggravated Kidnapping.
Chief Rausch said, "Officer Wallace is directly responsible for the arrest and confiscation of the tools used by the criminals to commit this serious and violent crime. His work stands out as an excellent example of self-initiated problem solving and later arrest of a violent offender."

NOTE: A teenager was also arrested in this incident. (The male is a juvenile but based on TENN. CODE ANN 37-1-154, the identity of the juvenile is public record based on the charges)